Nyein Kyaw - The black one carried by the north wind

1

The choir was resonating in the hall, high and low. The soothing New Year's prayer flowed back into the ears of the singers with a hollow sound. The moment they lowered their voices, they felt that peace and tranquility had already spread. For a long time, there was silence, not even a breath could be heard. The feeling, smeared with the cold winter and the Dhamma song, settled in the heart for a moment.

At the beginning of the New Year's movement, the New Year's behavior, the New Year's breath, the sound of the bells ringing loudly.

The midnight assembly ceremony has ended.

The sound of the bell that welcomes the New Year is so loud and so joyful. The sound of the great bell, which is free from heavy and dullness, is sweet and light, and the sound of the bell is carried far and wide. In the dark plain of the deepest night, the sound of the bell runs unhindered.

Greetings, conversations, and laughter could be heard amidst the ringing of bells. Everyone's faces were filled with joy and happiness. Children, young people, middle-aged people, adults, and old people all seemed to share the joy of the New Year. The colors of the warm clothes they wore were different, but the peace of mind seemed to be the same.

The entire hall became bustling. The sounds of chairs getting up, footsteps moving, and conversations became more and more distinct. “Brother, get up, let’s go eat some coconut milk noodles.”

He glanced sideways at Nawzar Lwin. Her smiling face came closer to his. “That’s nice, Lwin.”

He looked at her thin pink lips. Nawzar Lwin nodded. His eyes went to the statue of Christ in front of him. The green walls in front and behind were reflecting the light. The white ceiling was only daylight. His eyes, which had wandered, returned to Nawzar Lwin. He heard her speaking in a low voice.

“It’s good to be nostalgic, bro.” “Because there’s something to be nostalgic about.”

Nawzar Lwin didn't answer. He only saw a more pleasant smile. "The bell ringing is lovely, brother."

Nawzar's palm was hidden from view and she squeezed it. It was not cold at night. She held his fingers again.

“Is it the bell ringing, Lwin?” Nawzar Lwin looked towards the olive branches. She shook her head. Her hair, which was hanging over her purple sweater, moved imperceptibly.

“I don’t want to answer.” At the end of the sentence, he nodded and looked up. He pretended not to see. “Why?”

The audience in the left row of seats has already moved out. The audience on the right is starting to move through the left rows of seats and chairs.

"I'm asking, Lwin."

He opened his eyes and saw that there was a loving smile in the eyes that he looked at.

“Lwin already said he didn’t want to answer.” He didn’t answer the hand that was clenched. He clenched it even harder, “Of course, why don’t you ask me again?”

"You know, my son."

Nawzar's lips were pursed. After a while,

"I don't know, really."

"Lwin is right, Lwin is wrong"

"No, no."

"It's so nostalgic. Maybe it's because I'm nostalgic, so I'm just passing the conversation along."

"I won't give up, brother," he said.

He removed his hand as he moved his feet. He sat on the far right side of the hall, in the last row. When he went outside, Nawzar Lwin was in front of him.

"Lwin"

There were only four or five people left in the hall. It was far from them. That's why I thought. His voice was quite loud. Nawzar Lwin turned around and said.

"Brother, you're lucky today." "Why, brother?"

"Father is away on a trip. Mother is sick. If they both come here, it won't be easy for us to meet."

I heard a soft laugh. "I'm sorry I haven't met you at night," he shook his head.

"It could be late at night, it could be a party, it could be the first time we've seen each other alone, isn't it?"

He reached the beginning of the benches on the left. Nawzar Lwin headed west. He walked towards the main entrance gate. Nawzar Lwin followed his brisk steps. When he reached the iron gate, Nawzar Lwin stopped. Then he pointed. He looked. He was at the top of the asphalt road that sloped down towards the road.

"I don't know when Koko arrived."

A man wearing a white wool jacket and white trousers walked steadily, his back to the church.

“I think he'll go home first.” “Did you tell Ko Ko?” “Why, Lwin?” The smile on his face was unwavering. He gently pulled the sleeve of his combat shirt. “I'll stay here with Lwin for a while,” he smiled.

“I didn’t tell you. Even if I don’t tell you, he’ll understand,” Nawzar Lwin laughed. “Ko Ko is really understanding.” “I love Font like a brother, Lwin.”

"It's true that Mom is bad about Koko, brother. Oh, it's not good to talk about these things on a happy New Year. Come on, brother."

He seemed to be getting annoyed. He took Nawza's arm and walked. He stepped down the steps to the elephant entrance. The light of the facade blended with the light of the garden. The lawn to the north was full of guests. He could hear the sound of spoons and plates.

Nawzar's shoulder was touching his.

"Let's sit down for a moment."

When they reached the top of the road, Nawzar Lwin said. He nodded. Nawzar Lwin sat down, and then he sat down.

“I don’t know how long I’ll have to live like this,” he replied, leaning on his shoulder. “Not for long, brother.”

"If the parents get angry and act like a fool in the meantime, it will be a disaster."

The sound of Nawza's laughter echoed in the silence and great night. The streetlights did not reach the base. The branches of the kukkō were hanging around the base. The 11th new moon had reached the edge of the western sky. It seemed to be hiding under the branches of the sycamore. The shadows of the base were long.

“What do you think, Lwin?” he replied, looking at the bench opposite him. “I think you’re a lot like Lwin,” he chuckled. While laughing, he asked her again. “Yes, right?” he shook his head. “No, the old man and the old woman don’t agree with Lwin.” “Can’t Lwin’s agreement with Lwin still make things better?”

The moonlight, flickering through the shadows of the leaves, reflected on both of them. He couldn't hear a word from her. He could hear Nawzar's long, drawn-out breath.

“It’s not easy, it’s a very difficult role, Lwin.”

He saw the smile. He did not continue. His eyes fell on the dry grass by the roadside. The moving chest did not allow his eyes to focus in one place. He glanced at the sycamore trees that blocked the moonlight. On the asphalt road that ran north and south, he saw the light coming from the rabbit hutch window.

"Don't worry too much, it's just standing there on the mountain."

"A little bit. I hope Maung Po will come with me instead of standing on the sidelines."

The laughter that didn't open its lips was thin. But it was close to its ears and it was audible. At the end of the laughter, it turned its face towards him. He couldn't blink. He looked at her as if he was going to drown in her sparkling eyes. A few strands of hair were hanging on her thin eyebrows. She looked at her nose, which was not particularly prominent, but was pointed. Her two full, red lips were parted. She smiled at him as she looked at him. She felt that her face was beautiful.

“Looks good, huh?” He didn’t answer. His eyes moved to her slender shoulders and arms. “I thought about it.” He saw her round eyes. Nawzar Lwin’s lips moved. “What’s wrong, brother?”

“In the world, people look for what they think is the most beautiful. I wonder what it would be like if I lost everything. I wonder what it would be like if I were you, Lwin.”

“Hey, brother, you're talking to the world right now. I have to warn you about one thing.” “What, Lwin?” He saw her wide eyes. “Are you going to talk to the world about the two of us?” He smiled. Nawzar Lwin heard a soft laugh.

"Yes, Lwin. I don't want to blame the whole world for not being what I wanted. If I had to lose my love by accident, I would really feel bad."

He heard a sigh. He continued.

“The first person I met at the age when I was young and could love was Lwin. The last love of my life was Lwin. I don’t know if the example I’m trying to give is too harsh. If I were to use a word of caution, it would be like shouting at Lwin. It’s a love that is filled with all the love in my heart.”

Nawzar's arm gently rested on his shoulder. He felt his body warm and tingly.

"I'll tell you one thing, Lwin. Do you believe me?"

"Say it."

"As a New Year's gift"

"I'll listen, brother. Isn't that good news?"

He smiled at Nawzar Lwin's nod.

"I can't hide in this life. I will never break up with you. No matter who destroys me, no matter what kind of demon stops me, are you satisfied?"

He smiled. "It's really cool, Lwin."

"Brother, you didn't come dressed warmly. You're wearing a light-colored jacket, so you'll be cold. Should I wear a sweater? I'll take it off."

His laughter was loud. He laughed and then remembered. He looked around. There were no lights in any of the houses.

"If you don't come home and say goodbye, grandma will think differently."

I saw a shy smile. I squeezed his arm.

"I'm waiting for you to open the door, not my mother, my aunt."

“You know I’m waiting for you at the Bushiran Church, right?”

"Yes"

"What else did you say?"

“I wonder if Maung Win Aung will pick you up after the midnight assembly. If he does, don’t let your mother see it. You’ll wake up from your sleep by accident. When you come back, ring the electric bell and ask her not to open the door. Auntie knocked on the glass window in her bedroom. Auntie is really clever.”

"Let's pray for him too"

Nawzar Lwin stood up from her seat and said, "How are you, brother?" "May you be free from the life of a widow."

The two of them laughed softly. He reached out and touched Win Aung's face with both palms. He recognized the cold hand. It must have been a kind of silent message that it was time to return. Win Aung said in agreement.

“Let’s go back.” “I think it’s been about an hour and a half.”

As Win Aung was about to get up, Naw Za Khlong's arms came and placed them on his shoulders.

"I'm not giving you a gift."

He looked up. Naw Zar Lwin placed a soft kiss on his forehead. He remembered the warm lips. Win Aung stood up. He returned the same gift to Naw Zar Lwin.

At that moment, the midnight winter wind blew past them both.

The cigarette smoke drifted through the iron bars of the window and went outside. He seemed to have forgotten to blow his nose. It fell on the floor. He looked at Kyaw Nwe, whose face seemed somewhat tense. Win Aung knew that Kyaw Nwe was thinking about something. He leaned against the window and hung his head. He was dressed in white, just like he had just returned from church. Maybe it was because he was clenching his teeth, but his jaw seemed even more set. Kyaw Nwe's face, which had been so clear and cheerful in the evening and early morning, was no longer there now. In the five months since Win Aung and his family moved into his house, he had never seen her look so neat as that day. He had never seen her look so neat and tidy this evening or night. Now he saw her again.